Natural stone, shower panels and tiles are all suitable shower wall coverings.
While your budget is the most constraining aspect of choosing a covering material, there are numerous other factors to consider, and pros and cons to each type of material. From ceramic tile, to natural stone tiles and slabs, to pre-cast shower panels and cultured, man-made stones, there are many choices. Personal preference goes a long way in choosing the right wall covering for your needs and desires. Mostly, it involves going with what you like, and meeting structural requirements based on building specifications.
Instructions
1. Determine the look and feel you desire. Choose natural stone if you want rustic and outdoorsy. Modernity and sleekness embody precast, manufactured shower panels, designed mostly for aesthetics. Ceramic tiles are an old standby, and cultured stone is an option if you want the look and feel of stone but can't afford the real thing.
2. Know the "why" behind prices so you can make an educated decision. Natural stone tile, when installed properly, will last even if the house burns down. It naturally costs much more to install than a prefabricated shower made out of plastic. Choose plastic paneling if you want a quick, easy and far cheaper installation.
3. Choose a material based upon the level of expertise needed to install it. Installation prices can run quite high if you need a specialist, $60 to $80 per hour for a journeyman to master craftsman. Save money by choosing the do-it-yourself options, such as ceramic tiles or shower panels that simply glue onto the wall. Natural stone slabs require multiple people and more tools.
4. Check the warranty on each type of material. Natural stone comes with a lifetime guarantee if it is a mud-based installation built from scratch. Tile installations use thin-set mortar, warranted for only five years on average, a period that an installer will not exceed. Shower panels and glue-based installations will only have a warranty as long as that of the adhesive.
Tags: , each type, , look feel, Natural stone, shower wall, type material